Ask away. We’re here to help.

When you care about the foods you put into your body, you’re bound to have some questions. We’ve included answers to things people often ask. Can’t find what you’re looking for? Feel free to contact us.

Packaging

Q:  Without a pull tab, how will I know if my product has been tampered with?

A:  The sealed tamper-evident ring is securely attached to the cap to ensure the product has not been opened.  As you twist open, a slight clicking sound occurs when the tamper-evident ring separates from the cap.

 

Q:  How does the one-step easy open cap work?

A:  Simply unscrew the cap and pour. When you twist the cap one full turn, a cutting mechanism is activated (by prongs under the cap) and this cuts through the inner freshness seal.

 

Q:  Are your cartons BPA free?

A:  Yes, all of our cartons are BPA free.

 

Q:  Can Pacific Foods cartons be recycled?

A:  Yes, our containers are recyclable for over 60% of US households. You can visit recyclecartons.com to see if this service is available in your area.

 

Q:  Are the cartons microwaveable?

A:  No. Please heat our products in a microwave safe container such as plastic or glass.

 

Q:  Do your products require refrigeration?

A:  No, they are shelf stable.  Recommended storage temperatures are between 32-80 degrees Fahrenheit.

 

Q: How long is the product good once it has been opened?

A: Refrigerate and use within 7-10 days.

 

Q: How do I read the expiration date on packaging?

A: Day/Month/Year, for example if the product has best if use by date 23JUL18, the date is July 23, 2018.

 

Q:  Are your products safe to consume if it is expired?

A:  Yes, due to product quality we do not recommend consuming a product six months after the best if used by date.

Allergens

Q: What process do you use to avoid cross-contamination between products?

A:  We perform an extensive five step cleaning process of all equipment after each product is produced.  Top 8 allergen ingredients and finished products containing those ingredients are kept in an allotted space.

 

Q:  Does your facility contain peanuts?

A:  No. We are a peanut free facility.

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO’s) and Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)

Q:  Do you use GMO’s in your products?

A:  No, we do not use any GMO’s in our products.

 

Q:  Do your products contain MSG?

A:  No. Pacific Foods does not add any MSG to our products, nor do we allow MSG to be added to any of the ingredients we use.

 

Q:  Are your products certified organic?

A:  Most of our products are either certified organic or made with organic ingredients. While only products that carry the USDA Certified Organic seal or that are verified by the Non-GMO Project are required to be free of GMO’s, even our products that fall outside of these categories are made with only non-GMO ingredients.

Soups

Q:  Do you offer any Light Sodium soups?

A:  Pacific Foods is excited to provide several light in sodium soups, please visit our soup category page for more information.

 

Q:  Why is there sugar in your soup?

A:  With many of our soups, primary ingredients such as milk, tomatoes or red peppers all contain naturally occurring sugar.  We try to keep added sugar to a minimum in our soups.  When cane sugar is present in the ingredient list, our intent is to use this ingredient to help balance the flavors of the soup.

Broths and Stocks

Q:  What is Bone Broth?

A:  Bone broths, stocks, and broths are all closely related, but what is the definition?  Broths are made by simmering meat and or vegetables, herbs, and seasonings in water to produce a flavorful liquid.  Stock is similar, but rather than simmering meat, stock is made by simmering bones.  Bone broth is essentially stock.  The term “bone broth” became popular a few years ago thanks to wellness and paleo trends, probably because it sounded more interesting.  Bone broth/stock is often more nutrient dense than meat-based broths, usually containing more protein and other nutrients (depending on the ingredients used), and when made at home, bone broths and stocks can be thicker- especially when refrigerated.

 

Q:  Why drink Bone Broth?

A:  Many people have turned to bone broths recently due to it containing around 9g of protein per cup, with only about 40 calories.  Protein is the building block for the bones, muscles, skin, and blood, and your body uses protein to build and repair tissue, make enzymes, hormones, and other body chemicals.  Protein can also help keep you fuller longer.

Plant-Based Beverages

Q:  Why do I see separation after shaking some of the plant-based beverages, is that normal?

A:  Yes.  Natural separation can occur with our Organic Almond, Organic Coconut and Hemp Beverages.

 

Q:  Are your plant-based beverages vegan?

A:  Yes. All of our plant-based beverages are vegan.

 

Q:  Why does the Organic Oat Beverage taste so sweet when there is no sugar ingredient listed?

A: The sweetness noted on the nutrition panel and that you taste in our Organic Oat Original beverage is derived from oats. When we produce Pacific Oat Beverages, the complex carbohydrates in the oats are broken down into simple carbohydrates (or sugars, derived from oats). The resulting simple carbohydrates or sugars derived from oats are considered equivalent to grain sweetener.

 

Meals, Sides and Dips

Q:  Are the Refried and Baked Beans gluten free?

A:  While the beans themselves are considered gluten free, we do not label this product as gluten free because suppliers sometimes harvest beans on fields previously used to grow wheat or next to a wheat field resulting in a slight chance of cross-contamination.

 

Q:  How are your tomatoes processed?

A:  Our tomatoes are steam peeled then cooked at a high temperature for approximately 4 minutes, then dropped to 20 degrees Celsius for the remaining cook time. This process preserves the flavor, color, texture and nutritional integrity of the product.

 

Q:  Is the Organic Oatmeal gluten free?

A:  Our Organic Oatmeal is not considered a gluten free item due to the risk of cross contamination at the supplier level.

Q:  I have a great recipe that includes your product(s) that I’d like to share.

A:  Wonderful! Please feel free to email us or share on one of our social sites.